Cyclist fatally injured after getting struck by police car

On Wednesday, 48-year-old Guy Blouin was struck by a police cruiser while riding his bike in Quebec City. He was hit around 1 p.m. on the corner of St. François and Du Parvis and was pronounced dead in the hospital several hours later.

Since this incident involved police, the Sûreté du Québec are investigating the matter. Witnesses have described a bizarre event, saying that Blouin was riding the wrong way down the street when the police attempted to intercept him. It appeared as though the officer backed over the cyclist. It was then said that Blouin was under the cruiser in the fetal position for a 15 seconds.

Witnesses also stated that they saw officers get out to attend to Blouin, then got back into their cruiser and drove over him again. Following the incident, police took Blouin’s bike and placed it into the back of their cruiser. Police have yet to confirm the witness accounts, but they have said that they are looking into all versions of the story for their investigation.

On Thursday, more than 200 people gathered to pay tribute to Blouin’s untimely death and to protest his apparent treatment. According to a CBC news article, a second vigil was scheduled Friday for 1 p.m. which is approximately 48 hours after the initial happening occurred. Flyers were distributed saying “Police are stealing lives” at the last vigil.

The investigation remains open. Police have yet to release a statement with respect to witness accounts. Nevertheless it is clear that the local community is both saddened and shocked by what occurred on Wednesday afternoon.